The Layer is a sound installation by Yasmin Steinmetz and Gal Amoyal, intertwining themes of motherhood, community, and the passage of time. The installation was presented as part of Yasmin Steinmetz's exhibition "The Sleep of All Beings."

Utilizing wasp nests discovered in the garden of Yasmin’s village, the artists embed these natural forms within a wall, transforming them into conduits of sound. Concealed speakers within the nests emit the hum of lullabies and recorded maternal sounds, creating an immersive auditory experience that echoes the repetitive, soothing rituals of motherhood.

The work draws a poignant parallel between the Hebrew words "Hashkavah"—referring to the act of putting a baby to sleep—and "Ashkava" (Requiem), a ceremony of mourning, highlighting the delicate transitions between nurturing and protection, and themes of loss and death.